We visited Top of the Fair at the Western Fairgrounds last night and, unfortunately, left feeling quite disappointed. The buffet-only setup cost around $200 for two people, including two beers and one pop, which still felt steep considering the quality and atmosphere.
I was really looking forward to trying the food because I’ve enjoyed their tastings so much at the Food and Wine Show. That made this experience even more disappointing. Buffets are a challenge for even a great chef — it’s tough to keep food warm and tasting fresh — and unfortunately, this one didn’t pull it off. Some dishes were dry even though we were among the first to go through the line.
The decor and ambiance were also stuck in the 2000s. It hasn’t been updated in years, and it really shows. The music was bland, more like elevator background noise, which added to the dated feel.
On the bright side, our server was fantastic — friendly, attentive, and the horse racing itself was fun to watch!
It’s a shame because the venue has so much potential, especially with the racing. A modern refresh and a more versatile menu could make this a really unique, exciting place. As it stands, though, I can’t imagine anyone under 50 enjoying it much, and I would expect if you’re above 50 you’d likely still grumble over the value for the money.
I wouldn’t recommend it in its current state, but I truly hope they consider making some changes — the location deserves better.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 4
John R
We spent new year's at the top of the fair. Horrible service. Way under staffed. Tge food was sparse . Running out of everything, and being told I was getting small portions because they were Running out. O cam honestly say this was tge worst dinner I have had for new year's but one of the most expensive. We did tell the manager but she was too busy deflecting our concerns instead of trying to resolve the issues. On top of that everyone in our group was sick for days. This will be the last time anyone that attended this dinner will ever return.. I don't need you to reply to my review, just know you missed the mark by a country mile ! Not to mention the reservation system is just as deplorable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Linda Joers
We attended the Boxing Day brunch. $50/pp. We stood still in line waiting for scrambled eggs. Other Hot food was cold which can be expected with buffet. A kitchen staff came out with more eggs Benedicts and unloaded them with his fingers. The waffles were very close to black and brown enough to be rock hard. The selection of food has decreased but not the price. Will we be back? Yes because it has been our family's boxing day tradition for 12 years so I won't stop because the food has deteriorated. Bring an extra layer of clothing if you get seated near the windows. The view is great but it's a bit cold. (We still like the window)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Fiver
Paid 60 odd bucks for a $29.95 buffet. Poor salads, no relish tray nor shrimp. Potato salad large poorly cooked hunks. Ribs messy and fatty. Dessert table M&M's calibre. Extremely pedestrian throughout.
Andrew Smith
Hutton House and the Ontario Disability Employment Network co-hosted an event here on May 15th. The food was great ,the service was fantastic and the ambiance- with live harness racing as a backdrop- was unique and memorable. A highly recommended place to host an event!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
MorganMargaret
overall experience, server was amazing. if food had been better I would have rated more. Ribs and chicken were not warm and were very dry. Went to get dessert and it was completely empty so went back and sat down and then asked server if she could check to see if the desserts had been replenished which they had but were going fast again.
FraserA
The buffet was pretty expensive for the variety of things on it. Could use more variety, but the ravioli and the mashed potatoes and the prime rib was amazing. The chicken was a little dry and the salads didn't have enough dressing on them. Buns were a little hard on the outside, but soft in the middle. Desserts were like they were from M&M.
ChrisT
Amazing buffet. Delicious Roast Beef, Chicken, Fish. Great salads. Plenty of desserts. Lovely restaurant with great view of the race track. Service was excellent. Plan on going there again.
It was my sons first horse race experience and they were disappointed the first races seemed rushed and then the last ones were laggy My husband and I had been years ago and the food was very disappointing this time my husband and boys could not even eat the prime rib it was too tough to chew and I felt there weee not enough options for the amount of money you have to pay Not sure we will be back or recommend
Barbara EWART
March 19/24. We were very disappointed in the buffet here. It was quite expensive for the quality of the food. The beef was extremely rare, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. The small pieces of chicken were tough and rubbery. The carrots and parsnips were hard and woody. The salads were uninspired, and the small choice of desserts were the same ones found everywhere…no cakes, no pies , nothing different. As much as we love the races, I doubt we will be coming back.
We went to the restaurant Friday night. Service was great, Donna gave us the best service. Food was very delicious, One problem. The horses did not do what we wanted!!!
Enjoyed the races we had a fun time with the company included, food was poor been many times and it's gone down hill for options, hot food was awful only thing that we enjoyed was the fish and chips. Dessert table was ok. Server was nice but not super attentive at all times. We do enjoy the experience but for $55 pp not worth going back for that.
MikeR
Service sucked Roast beef was as thick as sandwich meat. Deserts were from Costco Caesar salad was dry And seamed like no one was restocking either of the food stations At $55/ plate
Maxine Archambault
Went out for a valentines night which was supposed to be a romantic fun night but ended up being ruined by the horrible food that left us hungry and disgusted. The appetizers were alright my salad was more so just toppings with dressing there was little to no lettuce under. The entree came out about half hour after which was the real thumbs down of the night. The steak was really dry and both mine and his steaks were two totally different sizes. The potatoes were dry and tasted like it was sitting for years. Veggies were gross and cold! Then after this gross entree desert came another half hour later and I mean how do you screw up dessert. It wasn’t horrible but wasn’t best either.For $180 for two people we left feeling totally scammed. Too much money and gross food. Don’t even start with the service took too long and didn’t pay much attention to water glasses being empty for a long time.Not worth it at all. Will never go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Toxic Media
After reading the poor reviews. They basically cover how I felt.
We visited Top of the Fair at the Western Fairgrounds last night and, unfortunately, left feeling quite disappointed. The buffet-only setup cost around $200 for two people, including two beers and one pop, which still felt steep considering the quality and atmosphere.
I was really looking forward to trying the food because I’ve enjoyed their tastings so much at the Food and Wine Show. That made this experience even more disappointing. Buffets are a challenge for even a great chef — it’s tough to keep food warm and tasting fresh — and unfortunately, this one didn’t pull it off. Some dishes were dry even though we were among the first to go through the line.
The decor and ambiance were also stuck in the 2000s. It hasn’t been updated in years, and it really shows. The music was bland, more like elevator background noise, which added to the dated feel.
On the bright side, our server was fantastic — friendly, attentive, and the horse racing itself was fun to watch!
It’s a shame because the venue has so much potential, especially with the racing. A modern refresh and a more versatile menu could make this a really unique, exciting place. As it stands, though, I can’t imagine anyone under 50 enjoying it much, and I would expect if you’re above 50 you’d likely still grumble over the value for the money.
I wouldn’t recommend it in its current state, but I truly hope they consider making some changes — the location deserves better.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 4
We spent new year's at the top of the fair. Horrible service. Way under staffed. Tge food was sparse . Running out of everything, and being told I was getting small portions because they were Running out. O cam honestly say this was tge worst dinner I have had for new year's but one of the most expensive. We did tell the manager but she was too busy deflecting our concerns instead of trying to resolve the issues. On top of that everyone in our group was sick for days. This will be the last time anyone that attended this dinner will ever return.. I don't need you to reply to my review, just know you missed the mark by a country mile ! Not to mention the reservation system is just as deplorable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
We attended the Boxing Day brunch. $50/pp. We stood still in line waiting for scrambled eggs. Other
Hot food was cold which can be expected with buffet. A kitchen staff came out with more eggs Benedicts and unloaded them with his fingers. The waffles were very close to black and brown enough to be rock hard. The selection of food has decreased but not the price. Will we be back? Yes because it has been our family's boxing day tradition for 12 years so I won't stop because the food has deteriorated.
Bring an extra layer of clothing if you get seated near the windows. The view is great but it's a bit cold. (We still like the window)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Paid 60 odd bucks for a $29.95 buffet. Poor salads, no relish tray nor shrimp. Potato salad large poorly cooked hunks. Ribs messy and fatty. Dessert table M&M's calibre. Extremely pedestrian throughout.
Hutton House and the Ontario Disability Employment Network co-hosted an event here on May 15th. The food was great ,the service was fantastic and the ambiance- with live harness racing as a backdrop- was unique and memorable. A highly recommended place to host an event!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
overall experience, server was amazing. if food had been better I would have rated more. Ribs and chicken were not warm and were very dry. Went to get dessert and it was completely empty so went back and sat down and then asked server if she could check to see if the desserts had been replenished which they had but were going fast again.
The buffet was pretty expensive for the variety of things on it. Could use more variety, but the ravioli and the mashed potatoes and the prime rib was amazing. The chicken was a little dry and the salads didn't have enough dressing on them. Buns were a little hard on the outside, but soft in the middle. Desserts were like they were from M&M.
Amazing buffet. Delicious Roast Beef, Chicken, Fish. Great salads. Plenty of desserts. Lovely restaurant with great view of the race track. Service was excellent. Plan on going there again.
It was my sons first horse race experience and they were disappointed the first races seemed rushed and then the last ones were laggy My husband and I had been years ago and the food was very disappointing this time my husband and boys could not even eat the prime rib it was too tough to chew and I felt there weee not enough options for the amount of money you have to pay Not sure we will be back or recommend
March 19/24. We were very disappointed in the buffet here. It was quite expensive for the quality of the food. The beef was extremely rare, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. The small pieces of chicken were tough and rubbery. The carrots and parsnips were hard and woody. The salads were uninspired, and the small choice of desserts were the same ones found everywhere…no cakes, no pies , nothing different. As much as we love the races, I doubt we will be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We went to the restaurant Friday night. Service was great, Donna gave us the best service. Food was very delicious, One problem. The horses did not do what we wanted!!!
Enjoyed the races we had a fun time with the company included, food was poor been many times and it's gone down hill for options, hot food was awful only thing that we enjoyed was the fish and chips. Dessert table was ok. Server was nice but not super attentive at all times. We do enjoy the experience but for $55 pp not worth going back for that.
Service sucked Roast beef was as thick as sandwich meat. Deserts were from Costco Caesar salad was dry And seamed like no one was restocking either of the food stations At $55/ plate
Went out for a valentines night which was supposed to be a romantic fun night but ended up being ruined by the horrible food that left us hungry and disgusted. The appetizers were alright my salad was more so just toppings with dressing there was little to no lettuce under. The entree came out about half hour after which was the real thumbs down of the night. The steak was really dry and both mine and his steaks were two totally different sizes. The potatoes were dry and tasted like it was sitting for years. Veggies were gross and cold! Then after this gross entree desert came another half hour later and I mean how do you screw up dessert. It wasn’t horrible but wasn’t best either.For $180 for two people we left feeling totally scammed. Too much money and gross food. Don’t even start with the service took too long and didn’t pay much attention to water glasses being empty for a long time.Not worth it at all. Will never go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
After reading the poor reviews. They basically cover how I felt.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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